Busting Brackets
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Mid-major Basketball power rankings: Dayton, Gonzaga and ETSU rises up

By Tristan Freeman

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs steals possession of the ball in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Matt Mitchell #11 of the San Diego State Aztecs steals possession of the ball in the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 16: Killian Tillie #33 and Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 16: Killian Tillie #33 and Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

2. Gonzaga Bulldogs (29-2, 16-1 WCC)

Despite losing four starters and having a completely unknown backcourt, the greatness of head coach Mark Few continues to amaze. Even with star forward Killian Tillie being in and out of the lineup all season, the Bulldogs offense has just been too much for just about every opponent this season.

Ranked 1st in the country with 87.7 ppg, Gonzaga currently has six different players averaging in double figures, with No. 7 Drew Timme putting up 9.6 ppg. They’re led by WCC Player of the Year Filip Petrusev, putting up 17.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Wing Corey Kispert may be the most important player on the team, averaging 14.3 ppg on 43% shooting from deep. Grad transfers Admon Gilder and Ryan Woolridge have been effective on the perimeter, responsible for facilitating the high-octane offense.

The biggest weaknesses for this team is defense and free throw. They aren’t awful on the defensive end but can give up some three-pointers at times. What the Bulldogs can do is force turnovers when the game is played at a fast pace but games against this team are more likely to end up being shootouts rather than low-scoring affairs. This team also struggles at the line (252nd nationally at 68%) but is ranked in the top-10 in attempts and makes. Getting opposing bigs in foul trouble may be worth missing a few gimmes.

Gonzaga heads into the WCC Tournament once again the favorite as the No. 1 seed but will have to get past possibly San Francisco in the semifinals, a team that has given the Bulldogs fits in both meetings. Then there’s either Saint Mary’s, who beat Gonzaga last year in the finals, or BYU, who just beat Gonzaga in Provo a couple of weeks ago.

If the Bulldogs win the conference tournament, they’ll have the No. 1 seed in the West Region without question. A loss could have them either No. 2 in the West or No. 1 in the East, depending on what both Dayton and San Diego State do. But Gonzaga is looking for another championship, one that resides in Atlanta in early April. 340 words

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